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A grandmother originally from Wirral has been killed by a great white shark while diving off the coast of Western Australia.

Nursing lecturer Doreen Collyer, 60, is thought to have lived in Neston but had emigrated to Australia in 2011.

She was diving on Sunday morning (June 5) when the attack happened in waters about one kilometre from the shore of popular beach suburb Mindarie.

She moved to Perth from the Wirral with her husband David so they could be near their son, who had emigrated, and watch their only grandchild grow up.

Her family have spoken of their shock at the attack

Devastated Mr Collyer described his wife as a ‘beautiful’ person who everyone loved.

“She was a devoted grandmother, mother and loving wife,” he said in a statement.

Leading the tributes as news of the tragedy hit the UK, the University of Chester and the Faculty of Health and Social Care in which Mrs Collyer worked for 15 years said it was ‘deeply saddened’ to hear of her death.

A spokesperson said: “Doreen was a hugely valued and loved member of staff.

“She will be remembered as someone with a real commitment and passion for teaching and child health care – her students were at the heart of all she did.

Mindarie, where Chester grandmother Doreen Collyer was killed in a shark attack, is about 21 miles north of Perth (Photo: Google)

“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to her husband and family.”

Mrs Collyer, who had recently become an Australian citizen, had always been a keen swimmer but fell in love with diving when they reached Australia, earning an advanced open water diver’s certificate.

Following the move to Perth, she secured the prestigious role of director of postgraduate studies at the city’s Edith Cowan University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, where she also lectured.

Students of Mrs Collyer’s have taken to social media to share their messages of sympathy.